The following morning Doc headed down his staircase to the street below. He saw Newly walking briskly up the street. "I thought you hurt your back!" Doc said to the young gunsmith.
As usual, Newly had a smile spread across his face. "I did!" He continued to walk toward his shop when Doc hollered after him. "Well you sure don't look it now!"
Newly stopped and walked back to Doc. "Nope. I meet Festus' Aunt Hootie last night and before I knew it, Doc, she twisted me this way and that and here I am just like new!"
Doc could only muster a slow wipe of his moustache.
Sam then approached the two men on his way to the Long Branch. He also held a smile on his face. "What are you so happy about?" Doc questioned the barkeep wary of the answer.
"Aunt Hootie's trick actually worked! That sliver came right out just like she said it would. Looks like you're out a nickle Doc." Sam joked about the nickle.
"By the looks of it, I might be out of a job too..." Doc grumbled as his gaze flowed from one man to the other.
Newly and Sam chuckled. "I don't think you have anything to worry about Doc." Newly offered. "She's just beenin' friendly."
Doc screwed his finger into his ear - one of his other habits. "I need a coffee." He continued to grumble and walked with Sam to the Long Branch. "I'll put on a fresh pot as soon as I open the doors, Doc." Sam placed a reassuring hand on the doctor's shoulder.
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Hootie straightened her bed at Ma Smalley's. Festus had given Ma a hand or two during thought times, so she obliged by offering Hootie a room for a few days. It was another glorious day in Dodge.
Ma was busy in the kitchen with the oat porridge when Hootie stepped through the door. "Can I give you a hand, dear?" Hootie's voice held a motherly love.
Ma looked over and smiled. "If yer willing too!" She was trying to cook the porridge and butter the toast all at once. "Some days I just can't keep up."
Hootie strutted into the kitchen and gently took the wooden spoon from Ma. "You tend to the other things. I'll watch over this." She smiled.
Ma looked at Hootie with a huge smile on her face. "If you were staying here in Dodge I'd hire you on in a wink!" The two women laughed at the statement. "Well, I aim to move on a in day or two. Jist happy to help!"
"Your nephew is a fine fella. He's just like you; always willing to help other folks." Ma continued. "You should be proud of him."
"Oh. We are. All us Haggens. 'Sept fer Henry. I think the poor thing is just plain jealous of his cousin's good fortune."
Ma looked up at Hootie. "Henry? Hard Luck Henry Haggen?"
Hootie slowly nodded. "Yes, dear. I'm his Ma..."
Ma Smalley stood speechless and Hootie noticed. "Not to worry dear. He's not coming here. Least that's what I told him."